Joshimath: On Sunday, the Prime Minister’s Office will hold a high-level meeting to discuss the ongoing sinking of land in Joshimath. Dr. PK Mishra, Principal Secretary to the Prime Minister, will hold a high-level review at the PMO today afternoon with the Cabinet Secretary, senior government officials, and members of the National Disaster Management Authority.
Joshimath land subsidence | PMO to hold a high-level meeting on Joshimath. Principal Secretary to PM, Dr PK Mishra will hold a high-level review with Cabinet Secretary & senior officials of GoI and members of National Disaster Management Authority at PMO today afternoon. pic.twitter.com/2Zxg0YSgvK
— ANI (@ANI) January 8, 2023
According to ANI, Joshimath district officials will also be present via video conference on this issue.
The administration of Jyotirmath stated on Sunday that development activities such as hydroelectric power projects and tunnels are to blame for the destruction of Joshimath.
Uttarakhand | Situation in Joshimath remains grim as buildings & structures continue to develop cracks
Building of our math has developed cracks. Development has now become reason for destruction as hydroelectric power projects, tunnels have affected our town: Admin, Jyotirmath pic.twitter.com/EROJ4hdhWn
— ANI UP/Uttarakhand (@ANINewsUP) January 8, 2023
Meanwhile, the Uttarakhand government has allocated Rs 11 crore to Chamoli for safety and rescue operations. Joshimath is the gateway to famous pilgrimage sites such as Badrinath and Hemkund Sahib, as well as the location where Adi Guru Shankaracharya underwent penance centuries ago. The central government has formed a committee to conduct a “rapid study” of land subsidence and its impact on Joshimath.
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According to the news agency ANI, the situation in Joshimath remains dire, as one of the Hindu monasteries, the Shankaracharya Matth in the Jyotirmath area, has developed cracks in many places over the past 15 days. The situation has caused panic in the religious institute. These cracks have grown in the last 15 days, according to the Jyotirmath administration. Swami Vishwapriyananda, the chief of Matth, has named “development” as the cause of the disaster.
Also Read: Joshimath Landslide: Cracks in houses, families relocated,NDRF Team deployed
Joshimath, which is considered a gateway to some renowned pilgrimage sites such as Badrinath, Hemkund Sahib, and the international skiing destination Auli, appears to be on the verge of disaster. The authorities have reacted quickly, and residents have begun to evacuate since Wednesday, as structures and concrete in the town are rapidly reporting cracks, crevices, and subsidence.
Why Joshimath is sinking?
A government-appointed committee’s report from 1976 predicted the current crisis that is gripping the residents of Joshimath, Uttarakhand, which is sinking — a phenomenon known as land subsidence.
Joshimath, according to the 1976 Mishra Committee report, is a sand and stone deposit, not the main rock. It is situated on an ancient landslide. Undercutting by Alaknanda and Dhauliganga river currents is also contributing to landslides, according to the report.
Heavy construction work, blasting or digging to remove boulders for road repairs and other construction, and tree felling were all recommended by the committee. Furthermore, the committee recommended that a massive campaign to plant trees and grass be launched, agriculture on slopes be avoided, a pucca drain system be built, soaking pits be closed, and sewage water flow through a sewere line. Furthermore, the committee recommended that water not be allowed to accumulate and that drains be built to carry it to a safer area, and that all cracks be filled in with lime, local soil, and sand.
